Chula Vista  Andrea Voigt loves the smell of chlorine in the morning — and in the afternoon as well as in the evening.

“I don’t think it ever comes off completely,” Voigt said. “Especially on days when we have morning practice before school and then again in the afternoon. But that’s OK because I actually like the smell.”

For Voigt, a senior at Eastlake High, it is the sweet scent of success — but not without its drawbacks.

“It really dries out my skin, so I have to moisturize a lot,” Voigt said. “Also, my face gets really red when I swim fast.”

So what’s a girl to do when faced with this cosmetic conundrum?

Voigt has made it worth her while during a four-year reign as the Titans’ blue-and-green aquatic queen by landing a scholarship to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

“It’s always been my goal to swim in college,” Voigt said. “Now my goal is to win at the NCAA championships.”

But first Voigt has some splashing to do at the San Diego Section championships, where last year she contributed to record-setting performances by Eastlake in the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relays.

For Voigt, daughter of a Navy SEAL, the water might feel natural, and it also has its intrinsic rewards.

“It’s a good way to get rid of stress because, for me, being in the water is therapeutic,” Voigt said.

Speaking of therapy, that’s exactly what Voigt needed while recovering from a cyst she developed on her right foot that temporarily derailed her high school career.

“I couldn’t swim for a month and couldn’t kick in the water for six weeks,” Voigt said. “Once I got back it was another two months before I was back to full speed.”

Full speed ahead, that is.

Voigt considers herself more of a middle-distance specialist. Among her personal bests are times of 52.27 in the 100 freestyle and 1:52.26 in the 200 freestyle.

Eastlake coach Bryan Monzon knows quality when he sees it, and he definitely sees it in Voigt.

“I’d rank her in the top two percent of swimmers I’ve coached and seen over the years,” said Monzon, in his eighth year as Titans coach. “She has no technique flaws, hates to lose and is one of the better leaders I’ve ever had.”

Voigt is captain of the girls swim team. Junior Justine Maher said Voigt’s leadership goes a long way toward inspiring her teammates.

“She’s just always really positive with everyone in the pool,” Maher said. “She’s always encouraging everyone and has really come into her own in that regard this year. Swimming definitely brings out the best in her.”

Voigt said natural talent will only take a swimmer so far.

“You have to keep your mindset positive and never lose sight of your goals,” she said. “You must push yourself past the pain.”

Another obstacle is the monotony of training that sometimes enters a swimmer’s mind during the endless laps between each competition.

“Half the time at practice, you don’t want to be there,” Voigt said. “Sometimes, there are things I’d rather be off doing than staring down at a black line.”

If Voigt is ever caught red-faced, she’s not mad or blushing. She’s just been swimming really fast.